As part of a season-long program to honor cancer survivors, Rob Fuller’s NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour car for the season opening Icebreaker 150 at Thompson Speedway on April 6 will be feature 15-40 Connection spokesperson Dave McGrath.
Rob Fuller (left) with Dave McGrath (Photo: Glenn Perry)
15-40 Connection is a non-profit group focused on improving cancer survival rates in people ages 15-40 years old. and committed to raising awareness of the fact that cancer survival rates in teens and young adults ages 15 to 40 have barely improved since 1975 in large part because of delays in diagnosis. The group is devoted to teaching people that early detection of cancer can save lives.
McGrath, a 39-year old Massachusetts native, was diagnosed with brain cancer at 18 years old.
“I learned my lesson; I dealt with symptoms of Crohn’s Disease for months before I finally went to the doctor because the pain was unbearable,” McGrath said in a release. “At age 14, Crohn’s Disease was found in my intestines and one and a half feet of them were removed. After that, things were going fine for me, up until my 18th birthday when I started having double vision and headaches. Unlike with my Crohn’s Disease symptoms, I decided to see a doctor right away.”
As part of their work with 15-40 Connection, Rob Fuller Motorsports is featuring cancer survivors on their car all season in an effort to raise awareness of cancer symptoms and the obstacles teens and young adults face to diagnose cancer at earlier stages. McGrath will be an attendance with the team at the Icebreaker and serve as an honorary crew member.
“Dave has been a volunteer speaker for 15-40 Connection since 2011 and annually speaks to hundreds of high school and college students sharing the lessons he learned through his diagnosis,” said Tricia Laursen, Executive Director at 15-40 Connection. “The partnership with Rob Fuller has allowed our volunteers to reach new audiences that will hopefully save lives.”
Fuller’s car will be adorned with special decals on the rear decklid and side panels featuring McGrath. The team feature Leukemia survivor Josh Bell on the car during the exhibition Whelen Modified Tour Battle at the Beach at Daytona International Speedway in February.
“The support received when we honored Josh Bell on the car in Daytona showed us that this is important,” Fuller said. “I lost an uncle to cancer when he was just 39 years old and I want to make sure we do our part to support 15-40 Connection and all that they do.”
In addition to work with 15-40 Connection, McGrath also with the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge in Worcester, Mass., where cancer patients have free lodging and support while undergoing treatment.
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